Are national identities still an important source of identity? Flashcards
Are national identities still an important source of identity?
Yes
Multiple points
Functionalism: Durkheim – socialisation is important. Rituals and ceremonies. Integrating mechanisms. Builds social solidarity. Nationalism can play a positive role in creating cohesion and feelings of community.
Nationalism
Schudson: Socialised into National Identity: Language, Education, Rituals, Symbols, Media, Fashion/Taste
Palmer: Nationality maintained through heritage tourism
Agents of socialisation – Family values, language, cultural tastes passed down
Guibernan and Goldblatt: 5 Themes of National Identity: Geography, War, Religion, British Empire, Monarchy
Orr: Construction of negatives – opposing globalisation
Urban: Sense/perception of nation identity changes according to where you live, your age and your ethnicity
Bielewska: Polish in Manchester.
GROUP 1: Long-established Poles = strong national identity, polish food, polish shops, polish community.
Celtic Identities: Welsh and Scottish identities have become powerful source of identity. British Attitudes Survey (2012) 69% of people in Scotland identified themselves as Scottish and20% as British.
Are national identities still an important source of identity?
No
Multiple points
Globalisation – Spread of a global culture is becoming strong ‘citizens of the world’. Cultural homogenisation. Rise in hybridisation.
Identity through consumption not nationality
Identity through individualism – Johal: Hybrid identities, white mask.
Multiculturalism – Modood: 2nd generation ethnic minority groups saw themselves as mostly culturally and socially British. National identity of origins nation has decline. Asian and Afro-Caribbean’s did not feel that the majority of white people accepted them as British because of their colour and cultural background. British identity is in decline.
EU – Widespread immigration creates a European Identity rather than a national identity. This has led to the rise in hate crime. Post Brexit increase in Hate Crime by 42%.
Crisis of British Identity
Postmodern Identity
Waters: Decline of British Identity – Celtic Identities. Multiculturalism. English Identity ‘Little Englanders’.
Bielewska: Polish in Manchester.
GROUP 2: Newer migrant – not integrating into Polish communities. Mixed with variety of ethnic groups. Lifestyle not different from non-Polish people – mixed. This can be explained through globalisation. New migrants keep links with Polish community through digital world. Identity more through individual rather than ethnic group.
